Italy-Israel match to take place on October 14 amid protests/ Increased security expected in Udine

2025-10-07 20:39:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Italy-Israel match to take place on October 14 amid protests/ Increased security

The football match between Italy and Israel will take place in Udine on October 14, as part of the World Cup qualifiers, in a stadium with a capacity of 6,000 spectators.

As protests in Italy over the genocide in Gaza continue, increased security measures are expected in the city and at the stadium. More protesters are expected to be outside the stadium than those attending the match.

Meanwhile, in Florence last week, Palestinians protested to prevent the match from taking place. This is part of a protest that has already involved millions of citizens in Italy.

"It won't be a peaceful environment. There will be 10,000 people outside the stadium and 5-6,000 inside the stadium ," Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso said today from inside the Coverciano training center, outside which protests are taking place. As of Monday, only 4,000 tickets had been sold for next Tuesday's match at the Stadio Friuli.

While UEFA had considered suspending Israel due to the war, Udine mayor Alberto Felice De Toni had called for the match to be postponed, as Italy's national team desperately tries to qualify for the World Cup. If it fails, it would be the third consecutive time the Italians have missed out.

"We have to play this match. Because if we don't, we'll lose 3-0. President Gabriele Gravina explained this very well," declared Gattuso, referring to the rule for lost matches.

The tension between the two teams was also seen in the September match in Hungary, the country where Israel now plays its home games, as Italy narrowly defeated Israel with a score of 5-4.

"It's disturbing to see what's happening to innocent people and children. It hurts your heart," Gattuso said of the genocide taking place in Gaza.

In the group standings, Italy and Israel are six points behind group leaders Norway, and only the top team in the group qualifies directly for next year's tournament in North America.

Israel could also face protests during a visit to Norway on Saturday. The Norwegian Football Association said it would donate its profits from ticket sales for the match in Oslo to the humanitarian work in Gaza by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Earlier, in August this year, the Italian Association of Football Coaches (AIAC) wrote to the Italian Football Federation, in a letter to be sent to the governing bodies of European and world football, demanding that Israel be suspended from international competitions due to its war in Gaza./CNA